UNITAR, AIM WA and JPA strengthen future-ready public-sector leadership through Perth programme

PETALING JAYA, 9 September 2026 – UNITAR Education Group, in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Management Western Australia (AIM WA) and the Public Service Department of Malaysia (JPA), delivered the Leadership Development Programme for Career Advancement in Perth, Australia, for 20 JPA-sponsored public officers.

The programme covered leadership development, strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, conflict management, coaching and motivation, AI in the public sector, and high-performance team development. Application of the format connected leadership concepts with the decisions, relationships and organisational pressures that public officers encounter at work.

“Technology can make the public service prompt and more efficient, but leadership determines whether that progress is responsible and trusted. Public-sector leaders need the confidence to use AI, the judgement to question its outputs, the integrity to remain accountable and the empathy to understand how their decisions affect people. This combination is what turns digital capability into better service for the rakyat,” said Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ir. Dr Sahol Hamid bin Abu Bakar, Vice-Chancellor of UNITAR International University.

Learning inside and beyond the classroom

Participants completed the Harvard Everest team leadership and strategy simulation, which challenged them to make decisions, communicate under pressure and work collectively towards a shared goal. Organisational visits to WesTrac and the City of Gosnells, a local city council, then extended the learning into corporate and local-government environments.

At WesTrac, one of the world’s largest authorised Caterpillar equipment dealers, participants observed how safety, employee wellbeing and workforce development are integrated into operations. Discussions demonstrated how reducing workplace injuries can protect employees while lowering medical and operational costs. Participants also learned about the organisation’s training function, including staff development and its graduate apprenticeship programme.

At the City of Gosnells, participants gained insight into how local government delivers community welfare, sport and recreational services. Examples included public swimming pool safety, the provision of lifeguards and animal-management measures such as microchipping animals found on the streets. The visit illustrated how policy, public safety and community needs are translated into frontline services.

Together, the visits enabled participants to compare leadership and management practices across the private and public sectors, and to consider how relevant approaches could be adapted within their own ministries and agencies.

Participants described the programme as both practical and personally meaningful. Effie Syamsyurijal Othman of Perlis State Land and Mining Office said: “The programme allowed me to gain knowledge and skills that I can adapt in the workplace. It also reinforced the importance of responding to changing situations and remaining resilient.” He also appreciated the organisers’ attention to participants’ needs, including prayer times.

Ahmad Muzaffar Ahmad Bakri of Jabatan Pendidikan Tinggi, Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi, said: “A leader must be bold enough to transform a low-performing team into a high-performing one. I am grateful to JPA, UNITAR, AIM WA, and all the participants who made this learning experience possible.”

Nor Azizah Ahmed of the Ministry of Finance highlighted communication and emotional intelligence as two of her most valuable takeaways, describing both as fundamental qualities in the workplace.

Kanmani Thangavelu from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture said: “Leadership is not simply about exercising authority. It is about influencing others, empowering team members, understanding their circumstances and guiding them towards organisational goals. Having attended local programmes previously, I found that this international experience broadened my perspective.”

From exposure to workplace application

“JPA’s professional development initiatives include both short- and long-term programmes conducted locally and internationally. This programme in Perth brought together an excellent mix of trainers and engaging learning experiences, both inside and outside the classroom. The visits to a private-sector organisation and local government allowed participants to observe different leadership and management practices firsthand. UNITAR’s trainers drew on their own experience to relate the learning to Malaysia’s public-sector context, while AIM WA’s dynamic approach encouraged participants to think differently, exchange ideas and consider how these lessons could be applied when they returned to their respective organisations,” said Norazura Tadzim, Principal Assistant Director, Human Capital Development Division (Ketua Penolong Pengarah, Bahagian Pembangunan Modal Insan (BMI)), an observer of the programme.

The programme was delivered by UNITAR trainers Professor Dato’ Dr Jesbil Singh and Adjunct Professor Dr Wilson Tay Chuan Hu. At the closing ceremony, Dr Jagdeep Singh Jassel, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of UNITAR University College Kuala Lumpur, delivered the closing address.

As a learning partner to JPA, UNITAR Education Group remains committed to developing capable, adaptable and forward-thinking leaders who can drive innovation, transformation and excellence across Malaysia’s public service. The programme’s longer-term value will be reflected in how participants apply their learning, support their teams and contribute to better public-service delivery.

Leadership for an AI-enabled public service

The programme comes as Malaysia accelerates the adoption of artificial intelligence across government. In February 2025, the Ministry of Digital announced that up to 445,000 public officers would benefit from generative AI capabilities and training through the AI at Work 2.0 initiative.

UNITAR has also contributed to this national effort at the policymaking level. In February 2025, the Parliament of Malaysia, the National AI Office, UNITAR International University and Microsoft introduced AI for Policymakers. The initiative combined a two-day parliamentary showcase with dedicated training planned for Members of Parliament, followed by structured learning for parliamentary officers and support teams on responsible AI, governance and data-informed policymaking.

While AI can help public officers analyse information, prepare documents and streamline workflows, effective implementation depends on leaders who can exercise judgement, manage change, communicate clearly and maintain public trust. The programme brought these technological and human capabilities together within one learning journey.